Important information for pregnant women
Nutrition:
- The ideal weight gain is between 9 and 13 Kg.
- Foods such as meat or fish preferably should be grilled, baked, boiled or steamed, if suffering from excessive weight gain.
- A moderate increase consumption of fruits and vegetables is recommended
- Take at least a pint of milk daily or its equivalent in yogurt or cottage cheese
- Reduce consumption of foods with excessive amounts of animal fats, bacon, butter, sausage etc.
- Reduce consumption of foods high in sugar like cakes, sweets, especially processed.
Alcohol, tobacco, and drugs:
You should avoid alcohol and any other drugs since they are harmful to you and especially your child. Equally harmful is tobacco consumption, so if you smoke you should quit smoking.
Hygiene, clothing and footwear:
- Maintain personal hygiene. It is advisable to shower daily, as pregnancy increases the sweating and vaginal discharge.
- It is advisable to brush your teeth after every meal. You are encouraged to visit your dentist for a checkup and cleaning
- Use loose, comfortable clothing. Shoes should be comfortable, avoid both shoes with heels as well as completely flat soles
- Stockings and socks that cause local compression of the leg can facilitate the development of varicose veins, these should be avoided.
Work:
Until the eighth month of pregnancy, women can develop their work as usual, given they avoid excessive physical or mental fatigue. From this point you should reduce physical activity trying to rest from work in the few weeks prior to delivery.
At any stage it is not advisable to manipulate or be exposed to toxic chemicals or radiation while at work.
Sports:
During pregnancy, healthy women have a lower tolerance to physical exertion. Moderate exercise is desirable. We suggest walking, swimming, and the exercises taught during maternity education. It is not recommend to practice any type of violent and/or competitive sports.
Travel:
Travel in general, including air travel, is not a problem. It is not advisable to travel to places with poor sanitation. Towards the end of pregnancy women should avoid long trips.
Sex:
If the pregnancy is happening normally you don’t need to modify or discontinue your sexual habits, as long as they are not bothersome to you. When the belly starts to grow, the classic position for intercourse could get uncomfortable. If this happens, you may need to modify the positions to make them more comfortable.
You should avoid sex when genital bleeding, preterm labor or rupture of the bag of waters. In general avoid intercourse the 2 to 3 weeks prior to pregnancy.
Changes in women’s body:
- You may become more sensitive and emotional, sometimes tired and fatigued
- You may notice increased skin pigmentation, and sometimes the appearance of stretch marks.
- Enlarged breasts, making the nipple is more sensitive. Milk may appear before the end of pregnancy. It is not advisable to manipulate the nipple.
- During the first three months of pregnancy, nausea and vomiting are common , especially in the mornings. Heartburn is most common in the second half. Consult your physician in all cases.
- Constipation and frequent hemorrhoids. Try to change your diet to make it rich in fiber, juice and liquids. Do not take laxatives without consulting your doctor.
- Varicose veins are common particularly in late pregnancy. Avoid tight clothing. Do not stand up on your feet for long periods of time. Rest your legs up. It is advisable to use elastic stockings to the waist.
- Back pain occurs mainly in late pregnancy, when pregnant women adjust their body posture to adjust for the growing fetus weight. Consider using straight-backed seats, avoid heavy loads and use a firm mattress to relax.
- Increased need and frequency of urination, which may force you to get up at night.
Prevention of infectious diseases transmissible to the fetus:
- Be cautious with cats and other pets.
- Do not eat undercooked meat or raw eggs, including cured meats such as prosciutto. Wash your hands after touching meat in the kitchen and avoid eating vegetables not properly washed.
- You must avoid contact with infectious patients of any kind
Preparation for childbirth:
This activity is for the other partner live participate and work during the pregnancy and birth of the baby. The information given in these classes try to reduce fear of childbirth, and to explain the development of pregnancy, delivery and support methods, as well as newborn care.
On the other hand, it also shows practical ways to relax and perform proper breathing in every moment of the delivery, to help reduce pain to the mother.
When to go to the doctor:
In addition to your regular visits to the doctor, you should inform your doctor of any abnormality during your pregnancy, such as:
- Severe and persistent vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Painful urination
- Unusual headache
- Swelling of feet and ankles, specially if they do not disappear over night
When to go to a clinic or hospital:
- Bleeding from the genitals
- Loss of liquid from the genitals
- Severe abdominal pain
- Intense uterine contractions
- High fever
- Severe headache
When to suspect that labor begins:
- Rhythmic uterine contractions progressively more intense and more often reaching at least 2 in 10 minutes.
- Loss of fluid from the vagina (potential water breaking)
- Loss of blood from the vagina
